“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 ESV
I gradually awoke this morning with this scripture scintillating in my being. It seem to be head knowledge or head quote words. Then a little closer to reality of awake, it’s morning, I found myself on my imaginary step ladder with a few steps down and a few to go before out of attic head knowledge into the light of heart. Awe! I found tucked away from dark, meaning people I don’t like, a host of greats: I am hopeful, blessed, loved, happy. Well, a treasure of “lightsabers” in action.
I’v starting thinking about, seeking answers to, good works? I know without a doubt and by faith, Jesus is the Light, the bright and morning Star. He shines through us. But, where does the shine go? Is it hidden in a heart of bitterness, malice, meanness, unforgiving, unloving, all about me and my few? My secrets, you don’t deserve, you, you, you and me, me. That is ugly work. A constant battle. Why not light of good works so others might see and give glory to our Heavenly Father because our heart ugliness is gone.
Then within minutes of dusting off my ‘lightsaber”, a light of kindness broke through causing my God Given true colors to begin to put off sparks. My cousin, Brenda, posted this.
“One lesson in life you should ALWAYS remember is when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock somewhere else.” A Light in the dark FB post
Then another kindness from my Today’s Reflections, “I would love hearing an example from your own life where the Holy Spirit has widened your circle to include someone you had previously excluded.“
What, another, three?
“One thing that’s always helped me when I’ve woken up feeling down is to put my hand over my heart, take several deep breaths, and honor the feeling. Then, I ask it to leave.” Marie
I’m looking forward to lights of hope to brighten our day!
thedailylily.com 
Sara, you asked above, “But, where does the shine go? Is it hidden in a heart of bitterness, malice, meanness, unforgiving, unloving, all about me and my few? ”
I found some helpful insights into bitterness in your book,”Designs of One’s Heart – The Four Seasons – Hearts are Seasonal Much Like the Four Seasons.” The insights were in the chapter, “Winter Season”. The theme was “Love” and the theme scripture was, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10.
Regarding bitterness you wrote, “The disciples slept rather than prayed. You know, if you’re sleeping when you should be praying, I want to tell you something, you should watch out! Because the Word of God says, “Watch out, lest a root of bitterness spring up.” Hebrews 12:15. Well, you know we’re in the mountains and it’s said that in the Rocky Mountains that Bitter Root grows quite well there. Are you brooding over a hurt or an offense? Have you given another your disease, allowing a bitter root to spread? Roots of bitterness follow us; anger, hostility and bad attitudes. They have come to rob us of our joy and peace. Isaiah 11:2 says, “Let me tell you something…I want to tell you about your roots. You’re not a bitter root.” Let me tell you about your roots.
Our roots are the Lord Jesus Christ, Who causes us to spring up in newness of life and beauty. If we were to look at Isaiah 11:1-2, it says, “out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” Isaiah 11:10. You need to study that whole chapter to know about your Forefather. You need to study that very clearly and see if you are a branch growing out of His roots. For Jesus says to us in John 15, “My Father is the Vinedresser and I Am the true Vine. And you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing.”
Debi, thanks for the info on “Root of Bitterness.” The scripture you quote above Hebrews 12:15 is very interesting in various ways from the text beginning with verse 14 and title given….”Warning and Encouragement…14) Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 )See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 ) See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17) Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.”
The words that sting like a bee…see to it that no one? Gee ice it and keep going?
Never trust your tongue when your heart is bitter.”
― Samuel J. Hurwitt
Great quote, Sara!
What are good deeds? Wikipedia writes, “In Christian theology, good works, or simply works, are a person’s (exterior) actions or deeds, in contrast to inner qualities such as grace or faith. In Judaism, good works are also known in Hebrew as a mitzvah, and refers to a moral deed performed within a religious duty. ”